Commercial spaces at 38 Metro stations go under hammer

New Delhi: With the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) calling for an open auction to license out built-up shops at Metro stations, commuters may soon find premises teeming with retail outlets, food stalls, shopping hubs and other kiosks in 38 stations of the Delhi Metro Network.

There are as many as 97 commercial space in various Metro stations.

DMRC is focusing on generation of additional revenue by leasing out these spaces. "Bids are invited for licence to operate retail outlets," an official informed.

According to the official, the space for outlets would be leased out on the basis of square metres. These outlets can sell food, beverages, etc.

"Moveable kiosks can be those selling ice-cream, eatables etc. However, most of the major kiosks are immoveable. Different locations will be identified at 38 Metro stations on the Line of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

"In some stations, they have a lot of empty space under the platform area. We are planning to make use of this space," the offficial added.

The prominent places where spaces are open include Shahdara, Pratap Nagar, Pitampura, Rithala, Rajiv Chowk, Samaypur Badli, MG Road, IFFCO Chowk, RK Ashram, Arjangarh, Jhandewalan, Karol Bagh, Ramesh Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Tagore Garden, Subhash Nagar, Rajdhani Park, Nanglor Railway station and NHPC Chowk among other.

While DMRC previously was allotting shops on a "first-come-first-served" basis, it is increasingly switching to auctioning, due to revenue benefits and "easier and fairer method".

""This is not the first time we are auctioning shops at Metro stations. For instance, we auctioned shops at the property on various Metro station too. All the revenue earned is invested back into the system for operations and maintenance," the official said.

Shops at stations along Line 5, such as Punjabi Bagh, Shivaji Park and Paschim Vihar, will be have site inspection on November 14 and 16 and officials will also hold a pre-bid conference at the DMRC headquarters.